By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:In a life dedicated to the underprivileged, Shantilata Rath served as a founding member and Vice President of Drushti Daan, as well as serving in different capacities in Khelaghar, helping restore broken lives and bringing hope and joy to countless children.
Equally, she dedicated her life the two families to which she was indissolubly bound, through birth and marriage, providing the sanctuary of her home to every person who needed it, each day and every day.
In 2024, Shantilata Rath was decorated with the second Gita Hota Memorial Award in recognition of her exemplary public service and contribution to literature.
Shantilata Rath was married to the late poet and civil servant Ramakanta Rath, and was mother to a son and three daughters.
In Shantilata’s passing, Odisha has lost a beacon light of compassion, who gave it all to others and in doing so found her peace.
Shantilata Rath was both in Biropurushottampur near Puri on March 17th 1942 and passed away at Bhubaneswar on August 21 2026.
